Chapter 68

Celine did not answer immediately. Her chest felt tight at those words. There was something in her that wanted to scream, wanted to say that Nico was wrong. But, as usual, her ego was bigger than her feelings. She chose to remain silent, letting Nico continue.

"About Calvin," Nico continued with an increasingly heavy voice. "I'll talk to him nicely. I won't lose responsibility. He's still my son, and I'll always be there for him. But... maybe it's time for me to leave this house. If you want to marry Bryan, I won't stand in the way."

"So... is this what you want?" Celine finally opened her mouth, her tone sounding sardonic even though her eyes were slightly teary. "Are you leaving, Nico? Are you giving up?"

Nico smiled bitterly. "Yes, I'm leaving, Celine. I'll also stop fighting for something that clearly doesn't exist. I know you never really forgave me. I know I was wrong. But I also know that if I stay here, I'll only hurt myself."

Celine stood up, her han